Community Financial Services Group LLC Sells 4,969 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Community Financial Services Group LLC decreased its holdings in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 25.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,690 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 4,969 shares during the quarter. Community Financial Services Group LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,940,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at about $44,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $58,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $121.00 to $118.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $127.00 to $154.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Evercore ISI began coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an “in-line” rating and a $135.00 price target for the company. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $150.88.

Valero Energy Stock Down 2.8%

NYSE VLO opened at $137.08 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $42.93 billion, a PE ratio of 48.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.99. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $99.00 and a 12 month high of $167.78. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $125.64 and its 200 day moving average is $127.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). The firm had revenue of $28.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 6.30% and a net margin of 0.72%. The firm’s revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.82 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.30%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 159.72%.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.